Labyrinth of Birth: Creating a Map, Meditations and Rituals for Your Childbearing Year

by Pam England

Designed to transform the experience of childbirth, this manual calls upon the use of the timeless and powerful symbol of the labyrinth in 12 simple meditations and ceremonies. Ideal as a tool for centering the self and calming the body and mind, this guide ushers readers through the inner journey of the childbearing year—from pregnancy and labor through the postpartum stage. A variety of labyrinths—including four childbirth-related labyrinths from the Hopi and Papago cultures in the American Southwest and two others from India—are presented in this handbook and cover topics that include helping mothers focus on their emotional and spiritual state preparation for birth, aid in calming the mind and steadying breathing during birth, and allowing parents to fully process their experiences. Instructions for drawing a classic labyrinth, ideas for personalizing the design, and labyrinth "seeds"—start-up patterns for six variations of labyrinth—are also included. The timeless and powerful symbol of the labyrinth forms the core of this collection of 12 simple meditations and ceremonies designed to transform the experience of childbirth. The inner journey through the childbearing year—from pregnancy through labor and postpartum stages—is enhanced through the use of labyrinths as a tool for meditation and centering. Studies show that walking or finger-tracing a labyrinth slows down and balances brain waves, calms the body and mind, and helps access intuitive knowing. During pregnancy, labyrinth meditations help the mother focus on her emotional and spiritual preparation for birth and mothering. In labor, the labyrinth helps to calm the mind, steady the breath, and ease pain. Postpartum, the Birth Story Labyrinth helps parents process and integrate their experience in labor. A variety of labyrinths—including four childbirth-related labyrinths from the Hopi and Papago cultures in the American Southwest and two others from India—are presented in this handbook. Instructions for drawing a classic labyrinth, ideas for personalizing the design, and labyrinth "seeds"—start-up patterns for six variations of labyrinth—are also included. The labyrinth meditations and rituals may be practiced privately or may be used to enrich mother blessing ceremonies and baby showers.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

140 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2010

About the author

In March 1999 in Austin, Texas, Pam began presenting and teaching birth professionals the philosophy and processes of BIRTHING FROM WITHIN. Since then, thousands of experienced and aspiring childbirth teachers, doulas, nurses, midwives, natural health practitioners, mothers and therapists all over the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the world, who are enthusiastic about the dynamic, life-changing BIRTHING FROM WITHIN approach are taking an active part in creating a paradigm shift. Many are actively pursuing Certification in our Mentor Training Program. Today, BIRTHING FROM WITHIN is a growing organization. We are growing Mentors, doulas, and developing new programs to prevent and heal Birth Trauma and raise awareness around Cesarean Birth.

Pam currently leads workshops and speaks at conferences all over the world, on topics such as birth trauma, cesarean birth, storytelling, visualizations & hypnosis, and many other aspects of pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. In addition to working on a number of manuscripts (including ones on prenatal nutrition, birth trauma, and cesarean birth), she also continues to teach childbirth classes to parents and is a prolific artist. She and her dog Gracie hold down the fort at the BIRTHING FROM WITHIN office in Albuquerque.

Reviews

[Cass · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I am not a mainstream mum (I homebirthed our first child) I am also not a mum that leans towards the wild and weird lifestyle that some do.

Put simply, I don't do birth art, candles, music, chants, belly casts or meditations. So when I was leant this book I was very hesitant as it is about how to draw a specific piece of artwork to aid in mediations for your birth.

However I strangely loved it, and I drew the artwork!

Rather than art I would view this more as a study pneumonic. The book discusses birth and in particular reflecting on what your previous births may have been like. The book helps you to see that even in a wonderful and straight forward birth we still encounter obstacles and hurdles (such as doubt) that require overcoming.

The drawing of the artwork is purely about creating a visual reminder that the hurdles, twists and turns exist and that each step draws us closer to our goal (of having a baby).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a super quick read (1 hour). I found drawing the labyrinths quite refreshing. I would recommend this book to every pregnant mum. Particular those who have already experienced birth (perhaps it would be a great reflective tool post birth as well). Definetly a book for the last trimester.

[Agustina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about approaching birth using both brain hemispheres. I definitely liked the book and it has made me look into the other offers the author has and find more resources from her to use with my clients. As a birth doula, I am getting more and more frustrated with this 'informational' approach clients demand from us, and losing the essence of what really a birth companion means.

[Rosie Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve owned a few copies of Pam’s book, Labyrinth of Birth, but I’ve lent them out and am hoping they are still be passed from hand to hand! I draw a Labyrinth or as I call it, a Laborinth with each of my Doula families and we discuss this hero’s journey. Today I am waiting for a fresh new baby to be born and for this newborn family to walk out of their Laborinth together. It’s a beautiful visual for moms and dads to meditate on in the waiting days and then waiting hours. A beautiful contrast to what some fear based, medicine, drug centric societies feed the minds of strong healthy able bodied birth givers! 🌀

[Largercircle]

Hurray, it's finally out! I've been waiting for this book for a couple of months and I'm so excited that it's finally here (note to self: go write review on Amazon . . .)

And it's wonderful. I have already been using the LabOrynth (birth labyrinth) in my childbirth classes and with doula clients. I've even shared the model as applicable to all kinds of transitions with my religious education colleagues. But I found lots of things that will enrich my sharing in this book.

Things I especially like: the Mother and Child labyrinths from the Hopi people. The Animal Labyrinths of the ancient Nazca people. A picture of a pregnant woman with labyrinths and spirals drawn all over her body, making me want to try that as a mehndi pattern on a live pregnant woman. A deeper understanding of the footprint part of the LabOrinth. Awesome description of Ovarian Breathing. For whatever reason, the whole section on death & rebirth. the LabOrinth Birth Story. Inspiration to make myself a clay labyrinth. And Most of All: the collection of "seeds" in the back of the book!

The quote that calls to me:

"It is an act of humility to ask the Mother to take your grief and pain because it is too great to heal by yourself." (p. 82)

[Andrea]

I'm really loving this book. I wish I had had it for my first pregnancy/postpartum period. The labyrinth is a perfect metaphor for the birth and postpartum process. I love that England acknowledges that it can take up to three years (not the six weeks the medical profession often cites) to move through postpartum difficulties. I definitely intend to make my own labyrinth and work through the meditations and exercises in this book during my current pregnancy and hope to use the images and guidance through my postpartum period. Highly recommended. Might pair nicely with Birthing from Within but I'm not finding it a necessary pairing. This book stands alone for sure.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped me so much! Pam England is amazing and brings such insight and ancient truth to modern birthing. The labyrinth is a great metaphor of giving birth and the post natal experience. We are warriors and powerful beings capable of making our way through this labyrinth and coming out even stronger and wiser than we were before. Read this book and make your birthing experience an even more radical one!

[Alison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Pam England and her work. What this book offers are excellent tools for the inner journey of birth and birth preparation...and also to bring into other aspects of your labyrinth life journey.

[sofie jacobsen]

A bit repetitive, but is an excellent resource for creating personalized meditations. There were a couple of pages I really liked- the section on brain waves and meditation was interesting.